Mythica: A Quest for Heroes

Would be so much better if they focused on character development and less on scenes of them walking around. Overall, it's ok, but could be much better.

Take every standard fantasy cliche from popular fiction, role playing game conventions, fantasy cosplay etc and behold you get Mythica! A series of predictable adventures at the fan fiction level of writing, acting and effects. There is a good chance that as you watch this you will find yourself thinking, "this is just like..." or, "this reminds me of..." Ut's not exactly bad though, it's just that there is absolutely zero originality. The creatures, the characters, the quest(s) lack any sense of genuine depth, and are entirely derivative. With that said, I didn't dislike it. I just wish it was more genuinely creative and compelling.

You watch a movie on the SyFy channel, entitled "Mythica: A Quest for Heroes" and your expectations aren't set high. Released this year, and you think "uh-huh". However, Mythica, is a surprising treat.

The opening, pre-credit scene, with clunky cgi leads you to lump what's to come in with the majority of SyFy's home-grown output, but pretty soon you release this is much better.

The plot is decent enough, the script is good, and the actors give a good show, especially the female lead, in a strong, interesting role.

We're in low-budget territory, but the "flash-back/forward" scenes are nicely done, and it's only the larger 'monsters' that suffer from the lack of budget. Fight scenes are so-so, but there's a decent depth to the characters, and the story. It's pleasant, and up-lifting ... just because it's low-budget, they haven't scrimped on the script, and it's nice to see a fantasy tale handled seriously by all concerned.

The first part in three films, it stands fine by itself, whilst leading into the larger story. Some characters are a little thin, but this is 'D&D' territory, so there's a typical collection of characters to expect.

This isn't a Hollywood blockbuster, but for what it is, it does very well. I'd rather watch a movie trying to be something, than one which just pads time, without any originality. Mythica is a good, entertaining watch. Let's hope the sequels live up to this good opening.

Well done to all involved.

It isn't awful. If you are pining for more LOTR/Hobbit but know it'll be a long time before someone creates expensive movies like Jackson did, you can settle for Mythica.

Mythica is trying to channel Middle Earth franchise in every possible scene, from Ork's to shots of the party running through open fields. It's all OK, doesn't look bad and mimics LOTR movies just fine. Even the acting is fine, not amazing, but good enough to not make you laugh at people trying to act.

The problem comes with the plot and the action.

The plot is just a cliché-fest of epic proportions. Nothing you haven't seen or heard before in video games (and movies). So good luck getting invested in anything the heroes are doing. That said, the plot gives a good enough excuse to send our heroes on an adventure and that's what will keep you entertained. Until of course, the action shows up..

Why do small Indie movies insist on adding CGI that they KNOW will look bad thanks to the low budget? The Ogre is terribly done, even some houses are CGI in shots and look fake thanks to no shadows or just terrible post processing done to them. The only scene that looks good with CGI is the one where a creature chases them in the forest. That creature blends well with the environment and looks good enough (acceptable). Rest of the "action scenes" with Ogre involve our heroes acting dumb while air (CGI Ogre) hits them and they fall down while a small crippled chick beats the Ogre (cause, she's the hero.. totally believable guyz). Like Gandalf, she refuses to use her powers when they could actually use them.

In the end, movie isn't bad. It just could've been way better without spending more money at CGI (try hiring people who know how to do action scenes).

Was expecting more from this movie, as it did look interesting and with the right execution it could have been a fun film. In the end it wasn't bad but also not good, rather a mediocre movie with some things to make it watchable.

Melanie Stone does give a great performance as the most interesting and well-rounded character of the movie., though most of the characters while stereotypical were likable and engaging. The special effects are above average, looking rightly proportioned , don't look too cartoony and actually looking complete, the ogre is pretty intimidating. The music score is very grand and rousingly and nicely orchestrated, fitting nicely within the movie, the theme song is pretty catchy. The costumes are very nicely done and give a real sense of fantasy adventure.

For all those good things though, there were a lot of ways in which Mythica: A Quest for Heroes was lacking. The scenery can be drab, and photography is unfocused with erratic shots and fuzzy picture quality. The sound sounds very dull, and tends to favour the music, making its grandeur occasionally rather too grand, drowning out the dialogue. Not that the dialogue was anything to write about, it does sound rather trite and stilted with some awkward humour. The story does lack excitement, suspense and fun, it's all a bit predictable and bland, while the action is undermined by unexciting and too safe choreography, confused and sloppy editing and a lack of interaction between the human characters and the creatures.

The direction does show occasional inspiration but is mostly flat and the acting is at times stiff, especially from Nicola Posener. Kevin Sorbo's screen time is very limited (only five minutes) and he has next to nothing to do in this time, he can be entertaining but he goes through the motions here. Overall, not bad, not good; a mediocre quest with its moments. 5/10 Bethany Cox